Rivera is a Mexican national. He is widely believed to be staying in the country illegally.

The 24-year-old Rivera also worked at a dairy farm a few miles from where the university student disappeared.

Rivera has waived his right to be tried within 90 days. The trial is set for April 16 next year.

The death of Tibbetts has triggered the fury of many Americans, and Iowans are particularly heartbroken about the untimely and senseless loss of such a promising young life. The revelation of the suspect’s identity has also sparked heated debates anew on immigration, with many saying the tragic case of Tibbetts illustrates the real need for tougher immigration policies as pushed for by the Trump administration.

Mollie’s father, for his part, wrote a scathing op-ed calling for politicians and everyone else to stop politicizing his daughter’s death and using her to advance a “racist agenda.”